Timing device



1963 K. T. WAGNER, 3,100,823

TIMING DEVICE Filed Dec. 15, 195::

5 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. KARL T WAGNER Aug. 13, 1963 y K; T. WAGNERTIMING DEVICE Filed Dec. 15, 1953 INVENTOR. KARL "IT WAGNER Aug. 13,1963 K. T. WAGNER 3,100,823

TIMING DEVICE Filed Dec. 15, 1953 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 J IN V EN TOR.

KARI. T. WAGNER BY m 3,100,823 TIMING DEVICE Karl T. Wagner, Thomaston,Conrn, assignor to General Time Corporation, New York, N.Y., acorporation of Delaware t Filed Dec. 15, 1953, Ser. No. 398,342 8Claims. (Cl. 200-39) The present invention relates to timing devices,and more particularly to means for timing the operation of electricswitches.

It is an object oat the present invention to provide a spring-woundtiming device which operates reliably under adverse conditions and whichis particularly suitable for the control of ordnance devices. Morespecifically, it is an object to provide a spring-driven timing devicewhich is particularly suited for use when hermetically sealed, which maybe cocked, Wound, :and triggered Without breaking the seal, and which iscapable of making and breaking circuits at predetermined times with ahigh degree of reliability, even when subjected to extreme shock andvibration. I

It is another object to provide a timing device which operates electriccontacts positively and which requires only a small amount of operatingforce. More specifically, it is an object to provide a mechanism inwhich the energy for operating the switches is stored in the switches asan incident to winding the timing mechanism, the winding causing each ofthe switches to assume a cocked condition, so that subsequent operationof the switches requires only a small amount of triggering force. It is'a further object related to the above to provide a timing mechanism inwhich the frictional loading is not only low, but extremely constantover the operating cycle, making it possible to operate the mechanismwith a known and adequate margin of safety over long time intervals. g

It is a further object to provide a timing device employing cockedswitches, but in which it is unnecessary for the operator to cock theswitches as a separate operation, cocking taking place automatically asthe spring is wound.

It is a still further object to provide a timing device capable ofoperating a plurality of switches in sequence and 'with provision forsimultaneously adjusting the timing of all of the switches in theoperating cycle. it is another object to provide a switch mechanism inwhich the switch-operating pressures are low, but in which each switchelement is balanced and with the contacts locked in the open or closedposition, making it impossible for triggering to take placeaccidentallyunder shock or vibration, even with forces of up to 1,000 g.

Finally, it is an object to provide a timing mechanism which, in spiteof the high degree of reliability that it afiords, is small in size,facilitating hermetic sealing and which, in addition, is light in weightand relatively simple and straightforward of construction.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will bei FIG. 3 is anexploded perspective of the driving mecha,

nism with certain parts schematically shown.

FIG. 4 shows the driving mechanism with the back cover plate removed.

FIG. 5 is a view taken along the line 55 of FIG. 4. FIG. 6 shovws theoperating arms on the under side of the operating disc in the mechanismof FIG. 1.

center of FIG. 3 is a spring shaft 50 having a coil spring Patented Aug.13, 1963 ice FIG. 7 is a fragmentary perspective showing the cocking ofone of the switches.

FIG. 8 is a fragment showing the idle movement of the operating armwhich occurs upon striking the cocking lever in the return direction.

FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective of one of the switches shown in FIG.1.

FIG. 10 is a stop-motion plan view taken just prior to triggering one ofthe switches.

FIG. 11 is a stop-motion plan view just following the triggeringoperation. 7

While the present invention is described in connection with a preferredembodiment, it will he understood that I do not intend to limit theinvention thereto but I intend to cover all modifications andalternative constructions falling within the spirit and scope of theappended claims.

Turning now to FIGURES 1 to 5 of the drawings, the timing device,indicated generally at 20, includes a pair of spaced frame plates 21, 22which are spaced apart bysuitable spacers to form a rigid, box-likeconstruction. Mounted between the frame plates is a timing mechanism 23having a winding stem 24 and an operating 'or output shaft 25. Mountedon the output shaft is an operating disc 27 to which is fixed a dial27a. The clockworktimingly rotates the discupon passage of time and may,for example, have an operating cycle of one hour.

Peripherally arranged about the operating disc 27 are an initiatingdevice 30 and switches 31, 32., 33, respectively. i

The initiating device 30 is the subject of a copending application,SerialNo. 395,126, filed November 30, 1953, now US. Patent No.2,936,576, and to which cross reference is made. ing device serves toput the timing mechanism into operation by freeing a vibratoryescapement member 40, which is included in the mechanism 23, and whichis normally blocked by a blocking lever 41 (FIGS. 1 and 3). Foroperating the blocking lever, a biased operating lever 42 is providedwhich is held in a cocked position by a pawl 43. Triggering of the pawl43 to start the timing cycle is accomplished by an actuator having anactuator element 45, the latter being coupled to the pawl 43 by a link46. As will later appear in greater detail, the operating lever 42 isrotated clockwise (FIG. 1) into its cocked position by means of acocking arm 47 mounted on the operating disc 27. This causes theblocking lever 41 to rotate into position to block movement of theescapement member 40.

The operation of the initiating device 30 may be briefly stated asfollows: Applying electrical current to a solenoid actuator (not visiblein the drawings) causes the actuator element 45 to tension the link 46,thus rotating the pawl 43 out of blocking position. This frees theoperating lever 42 to rotate counterclockwise into a released positionunder the urging of its associated spring. This in turn causes theblocking lever 41 to move out of the way of the. escapement member 40 toinitiate the timing cycle. actuator, as well as the other details ofconstruction is set forth in the copending application referred toabove.

refer in greater detail to the timing mechanism which is'shownschematically in FIG. 3, with the specific gear layout being set forthin FIGS. 4 and 5. Located at the It will suffice to say that theinitiat-.

The specific construction of the solenoid ,tacts are open.

51 connected at one end. For the purpose of winding the spring 51, awinding gear train is provided having gears 52, 53, 54, the gear 52being connected to the winding stem 24] Mounted on the shaft 50 is aratchet wheel 57 having pawls 58, 59. The pawls are bodily carried on aspring output gear 60 which drives an escapement mechanism 61. Theescapement mechanism includes gears 62, 63 and pinions 64-66 for speedmultiplication. Associated with the pinion 66 is an escapement 67 havinga balanced oscillating flyweight 68, thelatter mounting the escapementelement 40 previously referred to. In carrying out the invention theswitchoperating disc 27 is geared directly to the spring shaft 50. Suchgearing includes the pinion 70 and the gears 71, 72, the gear 72 beingfast to the output shaft 25 on which the operating disc 27 is mounted.It will be apparent, then, that the disc 27 rotates in one directionduring winding and in the other, or triggering,-direction during thetiming cycle.

For the purpose of defining the range of movement of the operating disc27 and to limit the winding of the spring 51, a stop member 75 ismounted on the shaft 25, providing angularly spaced abutments 76, 77,which cooperate with a fixed stop 78 mounted on the frame.

To review very briefly the operation of the timing mechanism 23, turningthe winding stem 24 counterclockwise causes winding of the spring 51 andsimultaneous reverse rotation of the switch-operating disc 27 until thestop surface 77 strikes the fixed stop 78, indicating to the operatorthat the spring is fully Wound. During the winding the escaper'nentmechanism 61 is silenced and the ratchet mechanism clicks idly. 1Uponfreeing of the escapement, which initiates the timing cycle, rotation ofthe spring shaft 50 takes place at a slow timed rate, causing theoperating disc 27 to be timingly rotated in the forward orswitch-operating direction.

Which the switch contacts are coupled and which is pivoted for rotationabout a central axis 81. Engaging such operating member is a pawl member82 which rotates about a central axis 83. Integrally formed on the pawlmember 82 is a pawl 84 which engages a stop surface 85 on the operatingmember, the pawl member 82 being biased for such engagement by means ofa spring 86.

fastened to the operating member 80 for rotation therewith is anoperating cam 90 having a high point 91. Arranged opposite the cam 90 isa leaf spring assembly 92 having leaf springs 93, 94. At the outer endof the leaf springs is a cam follower 95, which rides in engagement withthe cam 90. The operating member 80 and its associated cam 90 are bothbiased in the counterclockwise direction by means of a biasing spring96. i

To understand the operation of the switch, it will be assumed that theswitch is in its initially cocked position, as shown in FIGS. 1, 9 and10, in which the con- It may be noted at this point that the contactsare positively held open by a hook 97 on the cam 90, the hook engagingthe very tip of the contact spring 93, as shown, for example, in FIG.10. It will be apparent that upon rotation of the pawl member '82 in thecounterclockwise direction, the pawl 84 will move out ofthe way of thestop surface 85, thereby permitting the operating member 80 to snap inthe counterclock-wise direction. This simultaneously releases the hook97 and causes the point 9 1 of the cam to urge the cam follower 9endwise, thereby closing the electrical contacts. The position occupiedby each of the elements when the switch is in the triggered, or closed,position, is shown in FIG. 111.

more, the operating member is provided with counterweights 100, 101, sothat this element, too, is balanced, and does not tend to rotate, evenwhen the mechanism is subjected to forces of up to 1,000 g. In addition,both the operating member 80 and the pawl member 8 2 have biasingsprings which may be rather stifi to op pose unwanted movement. However,in spite of the presence of such biasing spring, minimum energy isrequired to move the pawl member 82, since the movement which takesplace between the paWl 84 and the stop surface is circumferentialrelative to the axis 33 of the pawl member.

In practicing the present invention, means are provided (l) for cookingthe switches upon rotation of the operating disc in the reversedirection incident to winding the timing mechanism and (2) fortriggering the switches upon rotation of the operating disc in theforward direction. Confining attention to the cocking action, referenceis made to FIGS. 6 and 7. Here it will be noted that the operating disc27 includes an operating arm 107 having a finger 108. The finger 108 isin the form of an upstanding pillar which may be riveted or otherwisefastened to the tip of the operating arm 107. The arm itself is formedof resilient spring material and is biased upwardly into its operatingposition against a stop or spacer 109'.

Arranged in the path of movement of the operating finger 108 is acooking arm 80a which "forms an integral part of the operating member80. It is apparent from FIG. 7 that as the operating disc is rotated inthe reverse direction incident to winding, the operating finger 108strikes the cocking arm 80a, rotating it into the cocked condition shownin FIGS. 1, 9 and 10. As the operating arm 107 makes a substantiallycomplete reverse revolution, the operating finger 10-8 sweeps by all ofthe switch cocking arms, positively insuring that all of the switchesare cocked in readiness for the timing cycle. During the course of suchrevolution, the initiating mechanism 30 is also cocked .by operatingfinger 121 onarm 47 of disc 27 engaging the cocking arm 80b. Arm 47 isoffset from arm 107 so that they move in different parallel planesduring rotation of shaft 25. Cooking arm 80b is located in the plane ofmovement of arm 47 whereas the cocking arms 80a of the switch mechanismsare located in the plane of movement of arm 107.

In order to prevent the cooking arms on each of the switches fromblocking the operating finger 108 during the ensuing timing cycle, meansare provided for guiding the members idly by one another, i.e., fordeflecting one relative to the other in a direction transverse to theplane in which the operating arm 107 rotates. For this purpose, theoperating finger 108 is provided with an inclined surface 108a. As willbe apparent from FIG. 8, interference between the cocking arm 80a andthe inclined surface 108a on the operating finger, simply causes 7 theoperating finger 108 to be cammed downwardly into the dotted position,the operating arm .107 assuming its normal position as soon as theobstruction is passed. The operating finger '121 is provided with asimilar inclined surface so that it is not blocked by cocking arm with atripping element or trig- Just prior to engagement between the operatingfinger 108 and the trigger 82 1, the parts are as shown in FIG. 10."Continued rotation ofthe operating arm causes the finger 108 to cam thetrigger 82a counterclockwise, thereby causing the pawl 84 to becomedisengaged, whereupon the operating member 80 is rotated by its spring96. The accompanying rotation of the cam 90 brings the high point 91 ofthe cam against the cam follower, thereby deflecting the leaf springs 3,94, and operating the contacts. The successive switches may be operated,depending upon their angular position about the operating disc, atspaced intervals of time, for example, at intervals of minutes.Operation of the switches serves to arm or fire suitable ordnanceequipment, which may take many 7 (forms and which lies outside the scopeof the present invention. The timing of all of the switches may besimultaneously varied by providing a serrated clutch connection 110,111, between the output shaft and the operating disc 27, the clutchsurfaces being normally held together by means of a 1111115113 or thelike.

In view of the fact that cocking of the'switches takes placeautomatically during the winding operation, the

- mechanism may be hermetically sealed in a case 115- (FIG.

2) having a single opening 116 which permits access to the winding stem24. The joint between the casing and the winding stem may be providedwith any suitable type of rotary-seal. In order that the operator may beadvised when the mechanism is fully wound, the casing 115 is providedwith a window 117 which permits a view of the dial 27a on the operatingdisc 2-7. Winding is continued until a starting point on the dial isopposite an Suitable electric connections It will be apparent from theforegoing that the switches I may be operated positively and yet withaminimum amount of torque requirement from the spring-driven mechanism.The reason for this is that the energy for operating a given set ofswitch contacts is obtained not from the spring 5-1 but from contactoperating spring 96, which is tensioned by cocking of the switch whenthe spring 51 is wound. Since the tripping of the switches does notimpose any substantial load, it will be apparent that the torque safetymargin may be calculated with a high degree of accuracy, therebyenabling reliable operation over long time cycles and with extremelyefficient use of the energy stored in the spring 51.

In the claims which follow the term cocking means shall be understood toinclude means for storing energy which is released for operating thecontacts upon subsequent tripping by a trigger element.

I claim as my invention:

1. In a timing device, the combination comprising a plurality ofelectric switches, each having operating means and cocking means forreleasably holding the switch in one position and each having a triggerelement for tripping said cocking means to cause operation of saidswitch to a second position, a spring driven timing mecha- 5 cessiveintervals timed by said escapement, said last means being adjustable forsimultaneously changing the time of operation of each of said switches.

2. In a timing device, the combination comprising a spring driven timingmechanism having an escapement and means for winding the spring, aswitch operating arm and means connecting it with said timing mechanismsuch that said arm is rotated in one direction during winding of thespring and is rotated in the opposite direction at a timed rate duringsubsequent operation of said escapement, a switch having cocking meanslocated in the path of said arm as it is rotated in either direction anda trigger element located in the path of said arm as it is rotated insaid opposite direction, said cocking means being effective to hold saidswitch in a first position in response to engagement by said arm as itmoves in said one direction, said element being effective to trip saidswitch to a second position in response to engagement by said arm as itmoves in said opposite direction, and means for relatively deflectingsaid arm and cocking means in a direction transverse to the plane ofrotation of the arm only when they engage While the arm is moving insaid opposite direction so that its timed travel is not impeded by [thecocking means.

3. In a timing device, the combination comprising a spring driven timingmechanism having an escapement and means for winding the spring, aswitch operating arm and means connecting it with said timing mechanismsuch that said arm is rotated in one direction during winding of thespring and is rotated in the opposite direction at a timed rate duringsubsequent operation of said escapement, a single finger on said arm, aswitch having cocking means located in the path of movement of saidfinger and operated thereby when said arm is rotated in said onedirection to hold the switch in one position, said switch further havinga trigger element 'for'tripping said cocking means to cause operation ofsaid switch to a second position, said trigger element being located inthe path of movement of said finger as said'arm is rotated in saidopposite direction, and means for deflecting said finger as it engagessaid cocking element when said arm is rotated in said opposite directionso that the timed movement of the arm is not impeded.

4. In a timing device, [the combination comprising a timing mechanismand a spring for driving the same, means for winding the spring, anescapement for controlling the timed unwinding of the spring, a switchoperating arm and means connecting it with said timing mechanism suchthat said arm is rotated in one direction during winding of said springand during the opposite direction at a timed rate during subsequentoperation of said escapement, said arm being resiliently defiectable ina direction transverse to its plane of rotation, a single fingerprojecting from said arm transversely to the plane of rotation of thelatter, a plurality of spring-operated switches spaced about the axis ofrotation of said arm, each said switch having a cocking element disposedin the path of said finger during movement of said arm and shifted bysaid finger during movement of the arm in said one direction to cock theswitch, each said switch further having a trigger element disposed inthe path of said finger and shifted thereby during movement of said armin said opposite direction to release the switch, said finger beingterminated by an inclined camming surface engaged by said cockingelements to deflect said arm and permit its free passage past saidcocking elements as the arm moves in said opposite direction, and saidtrigger elements being spaced in a direction lengthwise of the finger tobe tripped thereby without engaging said camming surface or deflectingsaid arm.

5. In a timing device, the combination comprising an electric switch, aswitch-operating member, said switch having a cocking element located inthe path of movement of said operating member when the member is movedin one direction and operated thereby to releasably hold said switch inone position, said switch further having a trigger element for trippingsaid cocking means to cause operation of the switch to a secondposition, said trigger element being located-in the path of movement ofsaid operating member for engagement thereby as the member is rotated inthe opposite direction, a spring-driven timing mechanism having itsoutput coupled to said switch-operating member, said timing mechanismhaving an escapement and having means for Winding the spring, saidtiming mechanism being so arranged that said operating member is movedin said one direction during winding of the spring and is moved in saidopposite direction at a timed rate during subsequent operation of saidescapement, and means including an inclined surface for relatively cam,-ming the operating member past the cocking member during movement insaid opposite direction.

6. In a timing device, the combination comprising an electric switch, aswitch operating member, a spring-driven timing mechanism having itsoutput coupled to said switchoperating member and having an escapementas well as means for winding the spring, an initiator for initiatingoperation of said escapement, said initiator and said switch each havinga cocked position and a released position and each having a cookingelement located in the path of movement of and operated by saidoperating member when the member is moved in one direction," said switchfurther having a trigger element for tripping the same to said releasedposition, said trigger element being located in the path of movement ofsaid operating member for engagement thereby as the member is rotated inthe opposite direction, said timing mechanism being so arranged thatsaid operating member is moved in said one direction during winding ofthe spring and is moved in said opposite direction at a timed rateduring subsequent operation of said escapeme-nt.

7. In a timing device, an electric switch biased to one position, latchmeans for holding said switch in a second said latch means, a timingmechanism having an escapement and a spring for driving same, means forwinding said spring, and an operating arm coupled to said timingmechanism, said arm being rotated in one direction by said,

winding means and in the opposite direction during subsequent operationof said escapement, said arm being of i a construction making itsubstantially rigid in the plane of its rotation but resilientlyyieldable in a direction transverse to the plane of its rotation, saidcocking means being disposed in the path of and operated by saidoperating arm as the latter moves in said one direction, said triggerelement being disposed in the path of and operated by said operating armas it moves in said opposite direction, and means for deflecting saidarm as it engages said cocking means While moving in said oppositedirection.

8. In a timing device,.an electric switch biased to one position, latchmeans for holding said switch in a second position against said bias,cocking means for rendering said latch means effective, -a triggerelement for releasing said latch means, a timing mechanism having anescape ment and a spring for driving same, means for winding saidspring, an operating arm coupled to said timing mechanism, said armbeing rotated in one direction by said winding means toyoperate saidcocking means and in the opposite direction during subsequent operationof said escapement'to operate said triggerelement, and means for cammingsaid arm past said cocking means during rotation of said arm in saidopposite direction.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS1,022,708 Smith Apr. 9, 1912 1,384,533 Leake July 12', 1921 1,761,652Chandler June 3, 1930 Cozens et a1 Aug. 6, 1935

1. IN A TIMING DEVICE, THE COMBINATION COMPRISING A PLURALITY OFELECTRIC SWITCHES, EACH HAVING OPERATING MEANS AND COCKING MEANS FORRELEASABLY HOLDING THE SWITCH IN ONE POSITION AND EACH HAVING A TRIGGERELEMENT FOR TRIPPING SAID COCKING MEANS TO CAUSE OPERATION OF SAIDSWITCH TO A SECOND POSITION, A SPRING DRIVEN TIMING MECHANISM HAVING ANESCAPEMENT AND HAVING MEANS FOR WINDING THE SPRING, SAID TIMINGMECHANISM HAVING MEANS FOR OPERATING THE SWITCH-COCKING MEANS DURINGWINDING OF THE SPRING AND FOR OPERATING THE TRIGGER ELEMENTS AFTERSUCCESSIVE INTERVALS TIMED BY SAID ESCAPEMENT, SAID LAST MEANS BEINGADJUSTABLE FOR SIMULTANEOUSLY CHANGING THE TIME OF OPERATION OF EACH OFSAID SWITCHES.